How to calculate your shipment volume of LCL

Why export furniture from the US?

According to the World Furniture Confederation, the global furniture manufacturing industry generates annual revenue of nearly $400 billion. This industry encompasses furniture sales for homes and offices,and is particularly sensitive to changes in economic climate.
Furniture export sales in the US rose to $2.23 billion in 2012, up from $2.16 billion the previous year. Shipments to China, the third-largest market for American furniture exports, rose ten percent to $74.4 million. The United Kingdom, Japan and Saudi Arabia were the next three largest markets after China, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Venezuela and Hong Kong. Hong Kong enjoyed the largest boost in sales among the top ten markets, with a 75 percent increase in shipments.
With the economy beginning to recover from the global recession, disposable incomes and standards of living are rising. As consumer confidence picks up, demand for furniture and furnishings is driving and shaping the market all over the world. If you're a furniture exporter, you'll want to know more about how to export furniture from the US with iContainers.

Full container load (FCL) or Groupage (LCL)

Before making your shipping arrangements, you'll want to note the differences between a full container load (FCL) and a less-than-container load, or groupage (LCL).
You may choose from either a 20-foot container, which carries 10 standard pallets (39 cubic yards), or a 40-foot container, which holds 22 standard pallets (about 75.5 cubic yards). Exclusive use of a container-a full container load (FCL)-is best if you want to isolate your goods from those of other exporters, or if your shipment is larger than five standard pallets, which is half the capacity of a 20-foot container. Groupage-a shared container, or LCL-is the most economical option, and is suitable for most other situations.

Transit times for maritime transport

Before firming up the shipment of your goods, you should have an idea of maritime transit times from the US. These vary from between 15 to 25 days to the Mediterranean; between 15 to 18 days across the Atlantic; between 30 to 35 days across the Pacific; and between 8 to 25 days to Asia.
You'll also need to take into consideration any unexpected delays, and other situations like customs clearance. Because of this, iContainers suggests you leave a window of three months for your shipment.

Export furniture from the US: door-to-door service

Online quotes and instant reservations for container transport for your goods-all you need to do is provide the zip codes for your shipment's pickup address and final destination. You won't find this service anywhere else, thanks to our proprietary technology.

Pickup of your goods at the address you've indicated, and transport to the shipping port.

Shipment of your goods to the US port indicated in your booking.

Administration of customs clearance (excluding fees and duties).

Transport of your merchandise from the American port of destination to the final address you indicate in your booking.

Featuring almost 300 berths along more than 26 miles of quay walls for seagoing vessels, this port also has nearly 50 facilities specializing in project shipments and bulk cargoes, as well as four state-of-the-art container terminals.

Ports of South Korea:

Port of Busan

Busanis South Korea's most important port; it was also the fifth-largest container port in the world as of 2013.